All season long, the Knicks responded on the road.
They produced their best record away from home since 1996-97.
They were resilient and they were poised in enemy territory.
Only the Bucks, 76ers, Celtics and Kings had more road victories than the Knicks’ 24.
Coach Tom Thibodeau’s team will need that to continue in Miami to avoid falling behind in the Eastern Conference semifinals after the Heat stole home-court advantage with a Game 1 victory.
The Heat were a strong home team this season, going 27-14, and they beat the top-seeded Bucks twice in Miami during the opening round.
“It’s the next challenge. So just be ready,” Thibodeau said following practice Thursday. “Each game, that’s the nature of the playoffs. The intensity goes up each game, so be ready.”
The Knicks didn’t just produce a 24-17 road record during the regular season, but they earned quality wins in hostile environments, too.
They beat the Celtics twice in Boston, the Cavaliers once in Cleveland, the Heat once in Miami, 76ers once in Philadelphia and the Nuggets once in Denver.
They were fifth in the league in offensive rating (115.6) and net rating (plus-1.5), which is how a team performs per 100 possessions, in road games.
Obviously, there is more at stake in Games 3 and 4 in Miami than there is in a regular-season road game, but the Knicks can at least lean on their experience away from MSG.
Plus, they went 2-1 on the road in the first round against the Cavaliers.
“It’s two parts of it,” Josh Hart said, when asked about the Knicks’ road success. “I think when you go on the road there’s less distractions. You’re not worried about family, tickets, where are you going to eat after the game. You have nothing. It’s only basketball. Being able to do that with the guys in the locker room, the coaching staff, the front office. So sometimes you’re able to be locked in a little bit more.
Follow The Post’s coverage of the Knicks vs. Heat NBA playoff series
- Vaccaro: Knicks’ failure to help Brunson is why their season’s over
- Knicks battle but fall in season-ending Game 6 loss to Heat
- Knicks couldn’t survive two minutes without Brunson
- Brunson’s heroic night spoiled by late turnover
“Then we play for the Knicks. Knicks fans, they show up wherever we play, whether it’s Oklahoma City or, I know you guys were down in Miami at the end of the year and we were having ‘Let’s go Knicks’ chants, you know what I mean. I think it’s the camaraderie that we have, being able to be locked in and focused and the Knicks fanatics that travel and show up.”
So much went unexpectedly well for the Knicks this season to wind up as one of the last eight teams standing.
Their success on the road was right up there at the top of the list.
That will have to continue for them to reach the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 23 years.